Page 242 - Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers (1923)

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Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light.”
Position Powerless to Sanctify
Are acceptable spiritual sacrifices made to God when men who
are placed in positions of great responsibility magnify themselves
and dishonor God? That has been done, and God looks upon their
course with displeasure. Instead of growing up into Christ, their
living head, manifesting His divine attributes to the world, they have
grown earthward. Self has been regarded as of great importance, and
selfishness has attached itself to their work. Devotion to God has
not been seen; spiritual life in Jesus Christ has not been developed.
God cannot give His wisdom to men who look upon their position
as sufficient excuse for turning from Bible principles to their own
finite judgment, as if a position in the work of the Lord gave them
liberty of speech, and power to pass resolutions and devise plans
and methods that are not in accordance with God’s will. Such need
to learn that elevated position has no power to sanctify the heart.
God permits them to hold these positions that He may prove whether
they will reveal the character of God or the character of weak, finite
humanity, which has never been fully under God’s discipline; but
positions have no power to develop a man’s character. It rests wholly
with the man himself to prove whether he will work himself, which
means that Satan will work him, or whether he will be worked by
the Holy Spirit.
“Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them
which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the
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same is made the head of the corner.” Have we all made Christ our
righteousness? Has He been placed as the honored memorial stone
of the corner? Have His lessons of humility been cherished, and
have they been acted upon? Have His lessons of mercy, justice, and
the love of God been exemplified in our lives?
God the Source of Strength
Oh, what weakness men manifest when they separate from the
Source of wisdom and power! Have not men been magnified? Have
not human sentiments and imperfect traits of character been held